British Rail Engineering Limited Swindon Works Locomotive Works Manager'S Office

The British Rail Engineering Limited Swindon Works Locomotive Works Manager's Office, now private offices, was built in 1841 and extended between 1855 and 1856, with later alterations. The building features squared rubble with brick and ashlar dressings and has slate roofs. It is two storeys high, with the oldest part being the south block, which measures six by two bays and has a rendered south front. Behind this is a ten-window wing made of different coloured stone from a later period, except for part of the east wall. All the windows, dating from the later period, are sashes with glazing bars set in cambered brick heads. The two blocks have separate hipped roofs topped with tall brick chimneys. The original part was already functioning as the manager's office in 1846 and was likely designed, built, and used by Sir Daniel Gooch. Notable works managers such as Sturrock, Rea, Armstrong, Dean, and Churchward also used the building. It is significant as part of the original Great Western Railway works designed by Brunel and Gooch, which opened in 1843 and was extended in 1855-6. The building underwent further alterations and extensions during the major expansion of the 1870s and is one of an important group of Victorian industrial buildings at the GWR works.